Character Meet and Greets

It wasn't planned but somehow we got to see a ton of characters on this trip! Its actually one of my favorite things to do at WDW. And meeting the princess is at the top of that list. 

I loved meeting Elena for the first time. Sadly, I still have not seen her movie....so Quisha and I will have to make a date to check her out!

Everyone knows that Cinderella is my favorite Disney princess (well you should know). But I don't know if the wicked stepmom had gotten under her skin that night, but let's just say that Cindy wasn't very friendly!

Olaf!! You can't be in a room with Olaf and not be happy!!! Just sayin!!! 

It was very nice to meet Tiana for the first time.

There were a lot of first for us! Meeting Rapunzel was a first as well. And she didn't mind chatting with us! 

I couldn't come to Disney and not meet the "Frozen" sisters!!! 

Don't ask me why, but being around Mickey kind of leaves me speechless. I couldn't seem to think of anything to say! Glad he wasn't the talking one. This was awkward enough!!! 

Me trying to explain to Joy and Sadness why I had never seen their movie. LOL 

These guys were so much fun!! Pooh (or maybe it was Tigger) gave me a lot of kisses! And Marc was worried about Mickey! LOL

Daisy was very hospitable.

Minnie reminded me of my friend we call Ms. FUFU. LOL

Donald is always good for a little meeting and greeting!!! 

One of the few characters Marc wanted to take a pic with! I guess Pluto really is a man's best friend! We also took photos with some of the Star War's Characters. I just don't have their photos uploaded at the moment! 

I got to meet Tinkerbell for the first time ever. And when I told her that she and I had a great conversation!!! Wish somebody in my family had taped it!

Meeting Alice was a delight. She really wanted to understand why I was wearing a hat with a hole in it. LOL

Our last day at Epcot we ran into see Jasmine (not really sure where Aladdin was) just before the sky opened up and the rain (and thunder) rolled in! 

Everyone thinks the Meet and Greets are just for children, but most of the characters are just as eager to "hang" with the adults as they do with the children. Disney really is the place where even adults can be a kid! What's been your most memorable character meet up? 

Channel Trailer

This editing video stuff is hard work. I know I have a lot to learn and a long way to go. But I hope you enjoy!!!

Celebrating at Disney

Our trip this year was originally suppose to be a celebration of my oldest daughter's birthday, my youngest daughters first year of marriage and hubby and mine 34th wedding anniversary. My youngest daughter and her husband were not able to come at the last minute so the celebration was just us three. Little did we know at the time just how well the Castmembers at Disney would end up treating us. 

Starting with special attention from this guy!

The first day that we were at Epcot she received this free Danish from a castmember.

The first day at Hollywood Studios the guy at the popcorn stand gave Quisha a free bucket of popcorn in honor of her birthday. 

Later that day a castmember at the Cool Station gave her a free slushy! 

These two guys stopped her twice at Animal Kingdom to sing Happy Birthday to her!

She got to meet her favorite characters and they made a big deal out of it being her birthday. 

Now of course they didn't give her this, but how cool is it that she got Galactic Hero? 

The morning we left the server from Boma's gave her a birthday cupcake at the end of our meal. Vier means celebrate! So what if anything do you celebrate when at Disney? And how did the castmembers treat you? I have to say this was one of the first times that we received this much attention and it made a special trip extra special!

Arrival Day.....Dinner at Ohana

After leaving Disney Springs we made a mad dash back to our room to change before heading to my families favorite resort for dinner! Eating dinner at Ohana on the day we arrive has become a family tradition. I can only think of one time where we missed dinner, and that was the day we arrived for Christmas and our van broke down on I-4! 

While waiting for our names to be called! 

Surprisingly we did not wait long for them to call us up, despite some reports I have heard from people who had reservations here and have had to wait for a half hour or more. 

You are greeted by one of the Disney Castmember's who greets you with a hardy welcome back "Aloha family". You are then escorted to your table. In our case we got fairly good seats near the windows so that we could view the fireworks from Magic Kingdom (another perk of dining here). They even pipe the music in so you can get the full effect of the  "magic" that is Disney! 

They start you off with a salad! In case you have never seen my reviews on this restaurant before, 'Ohana serves your table "family style". Which basically means they bring large portions of food to your table so that the family can share. And because it's all you can eat, they don't stop bringing food until you say stop!!! 

Noodles, Pork Dumplings and barbecue chicken wings. The also bring you various meats on a skewer (including boneless chicken, beef, pork and shrimp)! 

Some of my lost footage included the entertainment that night which involves dancing, a cocoanut game with the children, and a parade around the room to Hawaiian music! The performer that night even made a dig at Marc, and although we didn't participate he gave us flower leis as well! They also acknowledged Q's birthday. 

After dinner they bring you their version of Banana bread, topped with a large scoop of ice cream, drizzled over the top with a warm caramel sauce. 

These two stuffed themselves silly!

Can you tell that I am tired and full in this picture? 

They do this nightly, and the open grill area even allows you to see the cooks at work! 

I love Ohana, and I love the theming of this hotel. I would love to stay here one day, but let's just say I would have to come into some big money for that to happen. LOL So I continue to visit the Polynesian Resort for dinner and soak up the atmosphere of the place that way! 

Disney Trip Haul

I just posted my Disney Shopping Haul video up on YouTube. A few of the things I brought are not included in the video but can be found here. It may look like a lot, but in all honesty this is probably the smallest haul we have ever done on a trip. I think we have just become more selective about what we want to bring home (which is a good thing). 

The one thing I knew for sure I was grabbing on this trip if given a chance!! 

I can't wait to countdown to Christmas!!! 

Marc picked these out the very first day at WDW. Wish they had these at the local Walmart we went to a few days later. 

I'm telling you if you can swing it go check out some of the local Walmart's in Orlando! We saved a ton of money on these hats! 

Basin may have just become a must visit and shop at store when we go to Disney. LOL 

The Salt and Pepper shaker set that I didn't even know Marc had picked up. 

These are very well made and were under $7.00 a piece, which is you have ever gotten a Disney mug on property you know how expensive their mugs can be. We picked up all of these at the Character Warehouse store. 

I got my daughter Nicki an Eeyore one similar to the same design as this Minnie one I got myself! 

Got these from the Character warehouse store for under $5 each! 

I can't wait to use this bag we picked up the first day at WDW in the All Sports gift shop. 

At the outlet store in Orlando you can get Vera Bradley bags for up to 70% off! I paid just under $25.00 for these two pieces. 

My one big purchase! 

This was a child's necklace but its a crown and Mickey head!!! Hello!!! 

I have a new found love for some old Disney Characters including Tinkerbell! 

It's Cinderella, and it was $5.00. How could I resist! 

I really wanted a castle necklace but never saw one I really liked so instead I brought a charm and turned it into a necklace once I got home. I used a old chain necklace I had already. 

Our "free" refillable mugs.

Flower Leis we received at Ohana from the musical entertainer. 

Our celebration buttons! 

I found these at a local Ollie's after vacation for like $3.00 a pack. I think I might be obsessed! 

My cousin found out I loved Mickey and all things Disney and gave this to me off of his clock collection wall just because! You may see it in the background in future talk videos.